Building Success: Enhancing the Curriculum and Collaboration in the English Community

by Stephanie Badham

Curriculum Leader of English at The Queen Elizabeth Academy

The work of the English Community this year has been pivotal in creating a cohesive and effective curriculum while also fostering a collaborative and supportive professional environment. The combination of consistency in curriculum plans and a focused approach to KS4 outcomes has ensured that we continue to build on our successes and strive for excellence.

 

At Key Stage 3 (KS3), all departments now cover the same content, skills, and powerful knowledge, with assessments aligned at the end of each term. This consistency ensures that every student receives a high-quality and rich diet in English across the trust. At Key Stage 4 (KS4), we have structured the curriculum so that Literature is delivered in Year 10. This approach allows Year 11 to be dedicated to revision, providing students with the necessary time and focus to thoroughly prepare for their exams.

 

Working closely with each school this year has also provided an invaluable opportunity to shape the focus of community meetings based on the insights gained from visits. These findings have informed a range of strategies aimed at improving outcomes and enhancing teaching and learning in English. As a result, we have been able to implement targeted interventions and support mechanisms that address specific challenges and leverage best practice across the trust.

 

Community meetings are very much outcome driven, providing staff with the opportunity to actively contribute to the creation and sharing of resources. This collaborative environment has fostered a sense of shared purpose and collective responsibility among the staff, driving continuous improvement in teaching practices and student outcomes.

 

The dedication and hard work of the English Community has laid a strong foundation for future progress. Looking ahead, we remain committed to fostering an environment of excellence and collaboration, ensuring that every student is equipped with the knowledge and skills to lead successful lives.

ATT Communities

ATT Communities are groups of colleagues with shared priorities and areas of responsibility, who work collaboratively to share knowledge, build solutions and enact strategies to improve our academies and provide the highest quality education for our students.

Find out more about our Communities here.